Official Launch of Risavika Hydrogen Hub Arena: Building the Future of Hydrogen Value Chains
Researchers, industry representatives, funding agencies, and public institutions met for the official launch of Risavika Hydrogen Hub (RHH) – a new innovation arena designed to bring together key players for the development of hydrogen value chains that accelerate the green transition and create regional value in Rogaland County (NO).
In the coming years, RHH Arena will establish a platform aimed at connecting partners in new innovation initiatives and contribute to the development of integrated value chains in the region. It will also serve as a competence hub for experience and knowledge sharing activities, and as a strategic base for technology development and the scaling of concepts from idea and pilot stage, to full industrialization.
Innovation must be a growth engine for the future, and we need to organize ourselves in a way that allows us to make much better use of the knowledge we develop. Risavika Hydrogen Hub will therefore be a connection point to make that happen - Hans Kleivdal, Project Manager and Deputy EVP. at NORCE.
Together with partners Energy Transition Norway and the University of Stavanger, NORCE has been developing the project over several years.
Over the past few years, it has become clear that the key to advancing hydrogen lies in demonstrating the entire value chain – from production to use. The collaboration through RHH will span relevant actors across industry, R&D, government agencies, and funding bodies, both nationally and internationally- Egil Aanestad, Managing Director of Energy Transition Norway.
The kick-off meeting took place at NORCE Technology Park Risavika, where RHH has its project office and networking space. The program began with a tour of laboratories and pilot halls, already being used for testing new energy technologies – a fitting starting point for further development of the test center for hydrogen and circular economy projects.
Bridging the gap between ideas and industrial implementation
During the opening, Tore Meinert from Rogaland County Council highlighted the potential of the initiative: "The vision for RHH is to demonstrate the entire hydrogen value chain. But it's not just about technology – it's about collaboration, transition, and action."
He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between ideas and industrial implementation, and of using RHH as a platform where innovation, competence, and collaboration can bring hydrogen technologies from concept to reality.
Hans Kleivdal from NORCE presented the background of the RHH Arena project and the opportunities found in the technology park. "The most important aspect of the project," he said, "is to mobilize a shared innovation arena that works as a tool for testing, learning, and collaborating across sectors." He also described Risavika as a platform for testing new technologies, where ideas can be developed from pilot to finished product. NORCE has extensive experience in developing circular ecosystems for collaboration and innovation. Kleivdal also mentioned that the RHH project has already submitted an application to the Green Platform program together with technology company SEID, and that developing new joint proposals with the network will be a core part of the project's mission.
National and industrial perspectives
Tor Kristian Haldorsen from the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum provided an overview of Norway's hydrogen landscape. Investments in hydrogen are increasing rapidly, and the number of projects is growing throughout the entire value chain. He pointed out that there is now a need for measures to stimulate hydrogen demand.
Øystein Huglen from Maritime Cleantech discussed the opportunities and driving forces within the maritime sector. He explained how hydrogen-based fuels will play a key role in achieving zero-emission solutions and noted that the maritime industry will become an important customer segment for the hydrogen sector going forward.
Terje Hauan from SEID addressed the topics of energy security and material resilience. He presented the Coldspark project, which is developing groundbreaking methane pyrolysis technology. This technology produces hydrogen and solid carbon: "We produce hydrogen without emitting CO₂, and the solid carbon is a valuable raw material," said Hauan.
Workshop: Needs, priorities, and next steps
After the presentations, hydrogen stakeholders participated in a workshop about the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy for the green transition in Rogaland. Topics included the creation of a viable regional market, what is needed to scale ideas and pilot projects to full-scale solutions, and how RHH can contribute with its test facilities, competence offer, and as an active platform for connection and collaboration.
Discussions revealed a shared understanding of the need to develop supply and demand in parallel, strengthen communication, collaboration, competence, and leverage of public procurement to drive market growth. Participants also emphasized the importance of showcasing the entire hydrogen value chain for sustainable use, with a clear focus on profitability. Furthermore, they highlighted how synergies and collaboration through industrial symbiosis can help increase profitability and value creation.
NORCE Technology Park Risavika, home to the Risavika Hydrogen Hub, is a purpose-built facility for testing gas technologies, featuring a direct gas pipeline connection from Kårstø in western Norway. This makes it a unique test center where both individual technologies and complete processes can be tested and developed. By establishing a collaborative ecosystem, RHH aims to serve as an accessible platform for industry, research, and other actors who wish to test, learn, and develop new solutions together.
For more information and updates on the development of Risavika Hydrogen Hub, you can join the network HERE
Project's contact: Hans Kleivdal, NORCE – hakl@norceresearch.no